China said on Thursday it had helped U.S. diplomats, many of whom returned home amid the COVID-19 pandemic, come back to the country by arranging a chartered flight for them.

File photo of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

China treats all foreign diplomatic missions in the country without distinction in terms of prevention measures against the coronavirus pandemic, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said during a regular press briefing. He added that China is committed to providing favorable conditions for foreign diplomats to live and work in China.

Zhao's remarks came in response to reports that the U.S. had postponed flights for dozens of American diplomats who had planned to return to China later this month, after failing to reach agreement with Beijing over issues including COVID-19 testing and quarantine.